Audiologist Marianne Cramer is ‘hear’ to stay

“What I have learned about audiology? My motto is to treat my patients like they are my family,” says Audiologist Marianne Cramer.

Cramer is a licensed audiologist from Albuquerque and has a master’s degree in audiology from the University of New Mexico. For 23 years she has continued to help her patients hear the pleasant sounds of life, she said.

There was no audiology program in Socorro before Cramer came. As the only audiologist at Presbyterian Hospital, she started the program and watched it grow, she said. Nine years ago Cramer proposed the idea of adding an audiology center to the Socorro General Hospital because there wasn’t one.

According to Cramer, there were over a thousand people in Socorro with hearing loss problems. Cramer’s proposal was approved two years later, and for seven years she has continued to help individuals be able to hear again, she said.

“I worked hard to make it grow for the community, I’m here to help,” Cramer said. “People can call if they have questions or concerns about hearing.”

Cramer said in 2002 there were over 31 million people born with a hearing loss.

Hearing loss is the largest disability in the world and can be prevented by using ear protection, such as ear plugs and ear muffs, when exposed to noise, she said.

Loss of hearing is also caused by shooting and by loud music. Ear muffs are highly recommended for people when they are shooting. At the audiology center, Cramer makes ear plugs for shooters, available to buy, she said.

Cramer helps patients of all ages who have hearing problems — from babies to the oldest at 102 years old.

She and her husband bought land in Magdalena with the goal of moving to the Socorro area perminantly.

She helps over 600 people each year, and since working in Socorro, she has served over 5,000 patients. She dedicates her services to Socorro County and Catron County, and also serves people from Truth or Consequences, Belen and Valencia County.

“If you can’t hear the world around you, how can you function in everyday life?” Cramer said. “Older adults stopped going out, and don’t go to gatherings. Hearing aids help them lead an active normal life again.”

According to Cramer, 17 percent of teens who are born with normal hearing have hearing loss by the age of 18 due to noise exposure, such as shooting without ear protection and boom boxes. Cramer has talked with school groups from elementary to middle school about the importance of hearing loss at all ages. If one child listens, she feels she has accomplished something, she said.

“I love working with people of all ages and all backgrounds,” Cramer said. “Providing hearing aids for children who can hear their mom’s voice for the first time.”

Cramer said she provides a complete, thorough hearing evaluations for all her patients, and provides them with high quality hearing aids using an advanced computerized hearing aid analyzer. The analyzer makes sure the hearing aid provides the best benefit for ears. She is able to provide the hearing aids at reasonable prices, she said.

“I enjoyed my years here in Socorro and plan to have many more serving the community,” Cramer said.